Larbi Sadiki writes:
‘Parity of esteem’ is the name of the game – and finding a way to overcome inter-communal conflict matters. It matters because the Arab state has failed three basic tests: provision of security, provision of welfare, and distribution of power.
However, as the literati carry on unpacking the still-unfolding Arab revolution, one dimension is missing from this ongoing investigation which must be highlighted: The Palestinian corollary.
Observers have been hasty in dismissing Palestine from the Arab revolution. I argue here that it was one of many dynamics, definitely one of the final straws that broke the back of an already heavily weighed down camel.
Two betes noires of international politics loomed large, by negation and denial, in much of the early diagnosis of the Arab revolution.
Islamists and the Palestinian cause were written off as inconsequential in the Arab revolution. The first is of issue to secularists, Westernisers and many Westerners. The second is of concern for those concerned about the Arab revolution’s implications for Israel.
Interesting article. I personally think that a prime moment will come after the September vote when we might very well see a third intifada. Obviously the Palestinian situation is different from Egypt or Bahrain or Syria.
Firstly there has already been two uprisings in the last 20 years each lasting years and both failing in their objectives. Secondly the Fatah and Hamas split obviously damaged the Palestinian cause greatly. You can’t battle Israel when you are battling yourself. Of course the Israelis fostered this divide and conquer strategy. Thankfully these divisions are starting to become unified again.
Thirdly, obviously there is a difference between say Egypt’s revolution against Mubarak and Palestine’s uprising against the Israeli occupation. In Egypt the protesters were able to co-opt the soldiers since all had the same grievances and were all Egyptians. Palestinians can expect no mercy or alligances from the Israelis when they begin there uprising.
Fourthly. Also the ability to organise resistance in Egypt or Syria would be alot less complicated than in Palestine. You have most civil resistance leaders locked up already in Israeli jails. You have roadblocks every mile. You have Gaza and the West Bank geographically seperated. You have a siege in Gaza. I’d imagine the practical logistics of such an uprising would be fastly more complicated.
But I have no doubt that this Third Intifada is being actively planned for and talked about. After all many of Egypt’s activists said they learned alot from the 1st and 2nd Intifada about organising, protesting, media relations, messaging. Palestine is still the heart of resistance in the Arab World.